Mistakes Doom UNM in Loss to UNLV
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — UNM suffered through a host of mistakes in the opening half, including allowed three big plays on special teams as the visiting UNLV Rebels handed New Mexico its worst margin of defeat this season as UNM lost 56-14. The litany of mistakes in the game included three long punt returns, a fumbled snap on a punt and a fumble return inside the 10-yard line.
Overall, the Rebels (7-2, 4-1) took advantage of starting at the Lobo 32, 30, 21, 9 and 5-yard lines, scoring touchdowns on all of those possessions. UNLV won the turnover battle 2-0, and scored 14 points off those two turnovers.
The 42-point margin of defeat was UNM’s worst in a conference game since October 27, 2018 when UNM lost 61-19 at Utah State. The 56 points was the most allowed in a home game by UNM since 60-49 loss to Boise State at University Stadium November 8, 2014. The last time UNM lost by 42 at home was October 22, 2011 as Air Force beat UNM 42-0.
Nothing seemingly went right early for UNM. After a quick first down on a pair of Jacory Croskey-Merritt runs, UNM was forced to punt, and Jacob DeJesus returned Aaron Rodriguez’ 50-yard punt 59 yards to the Lobo 30. One play later, Ricky White III caught a 30-yard pass from Jayden Maiava and that made it 7-0. On its next drive UNM moved into UNLV territory, but an illegal block sent the drive back into UNM territory, and when UNM lined up to punt, Brendan Durkin’s snap hit an upman and UNLV pounced on the football.
UNLV took four plays to score, getting a 5-yard run from Vincent Davis to make it 14-0. From there, UNM went on its first sustained drive of the game. Croskey-Merritt had an 11-yard run and Dylan Hopkins converted a third-and-6 on a 9-yard pass to Jeremiah Hixon.
Andrew Henry finished off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7. UNLV answered with 10-play, 75-yard drive capped by a second 5-yard Davis touchdown. UNM then went right down the field before disaster struck. Hopkins opened the drive with a 41-yard bomb into the bread-basket of Medford, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt was stripped of the ball at the UNLV 30 and the ball was returned to UNM’s 5-yard line, where Donavyn Lester pounded it home.
UNLV added one more score before the break, and UNM got a chance to end the half with points but a career-long attempt of 52 yards by Luke Drzewiecki went just wide to the left.
In the second half, UNLV got two long touchdown passes by Maiava. The first was 43 yards to Dominic Gicinto and the second 58 yards to Ricky White III. UNLV made it 56-7 after another long punt return before UNM finally got back on the board when Devon Dampier led a 75-yard touchdown drive, throwing a 1-yard touchdown to Croskey-Merritt, somehow avoiding a sack.
Head Coach Danny Gonzales
Running Back Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Defensive End Kyler Drake
Postgame Notes
This was the 27th meeting between the two teams.
UNLV now leads 15-12 in the series
UNLV now leads 8-7 in Albuquerque
UNLV leads 7-5 in Las Vegas
UNLV has now three straight in the series, and four straight in Albuquerque.
Starting lineup changes for UNM from published two-deep
Offense: No changes, Wyatt McClour was the offensive skill player who didn’t start.
Defense: Derreck Moore started at LOBO for Tavian Combs.
*New Mexico’s captains were Dylan Hopkins, Syaire Riley, Donte Martin and CJ James.
*New Mexico’s Bryce Santana carried the state flag of New Mexico onto the field and Charles Steinkamp carried the United States flag.
*UNLV won the toss and deferred. UNM elected to receive UNLV defended the South goal. UNM has opened with the ball in 37 of 41 games in the Danny Gonzales era.
TEAM NOTES:
*UNLV’s 14 first quarter points were the most allowed by UNM this year, and it was the most since UNM allowed 14 to Air Force last November 12.
*New Mexico has now lost 17 straight games when trailing after the first quarter.
*The 42-point loss at home was the worst home margin of defeat since October 29, 2011 when UNM lost to Air Force 42-0.
*One week after a season-best 10 tackles for loss, UNM had none in the game and one hurry.
*UNM allowed 161 yards on three punt returns after allowed 160 in the first eight games combined.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
*Andrew Henry’s touchdown in the second quarter was his second of the season.
*DJ Washington’s five receptions were a career-best.
*Caleb Medford’s four receptions were a career-best.
*Devon Dampier’s touchdown pass was his fourth of the season on 23 pass attempts.
*Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s scored his 13th touchdown of the season, but first one receiving. The 13 total touchdowns is tied for the 11th most in school history.
*Luke Drzewiecki was wide left at the end of the half on a career-long attempt of 52 yards. It would have been tied the sixth-longest field goal in school history.
*Donte Martin had a pass breakup to give him 29 in his career, two away from Glover Quin’s school record.
*Dylan Hopkins is now up to 1,825 yards passing on the season.
*Tavian Combs missed his third straight game.